Death of an officer who was involved in Lockyer Valley shooting

A gunman, which the Courier Mail identified as Rick Maddison, is still on the loose and may be holed up in a shipping container.

Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan paid tribute to the fallen officer, saying he was tragically killed while doing his job, selflessly serving the people of Queensland.

“A hero lost his life today,” Mr Ryan said in a statement.

“My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues … along with millions of Queenslanders, I pay tribute to his service.

“He will never be forgotten.

“With honour, he served.”

There are conflicting reports about the events leading up to the constable’s death with Seven News suggesting the officer was trying to pull over the suspect when the situation escalated.

Seven Network journalist Chris Campey said it was believed the police car rolled down an embankment during the chase and the officer was shot while trying to get out of the vehicle.

But the Courier Mail is reporting the man started firing at officers after being pulled over by police. The police car tried to reverse but crashed and rolled. The officer was believed to have already been shot when the car rolled.

Another report from The Age suggested the gunman got out of his car and shot the officer during the chase, and it was a separate police car that rolled after the chase resumed.

Up to three officers were believed to have been injured in the incident.

A resident Peter Mills told the Courier Mail the gunman is now believed to be holed up in a shipping container on a farm in Forestry Rd.

Officers from the Special Emergency Response Team have arrived at the scene and a huge area has been locked down around Seventeen Mile near Toowoomba, 115km west of Brisbane.

There were also unconfirmed reports shots were fired at a police helicopter, which was forced to land for its own safety.

The Queensland Police Service has confirmed the death of a male officer during a “shooting incident”.

A statement said the incident occurred about 2.20pm as police were attempting to intercept a vehicle on Wellers Rd at Seventeen Mile.

Police are continuing to search for the armed man who fled the vehicle into nearby bushland.

Gatton resident Kyal Pennell told news.com.au that he heard the first shots, which sounded like machine gun fire, about 2.30pm and then a police siren from about 15 minutes.

“Then there was basically gunfire every 10 to 15 minutes from about 2.45pm through to 4.30pm,” he said.

“It was pretty scary, I wasn’t sure what to think, I wasn’t sure what was going on and I couldn’t see anything. I was only hoping it wasn’t getting any closer.”

Mr Pennell said he was eventually evacuated about 5.30pm and is now staying at a hotel with his family as police continue to hunt for the shooter.

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